"Jerome is a world-class centre-back and a top professional. It's about staying physically healthy. I don't know if any club in Europe has such a centre-back trio.

"There are three world-class players [at centre-back]. It doesn't matter who I let play together. They'll be rotated during the season. The work load will be extremely high."

Bayern have been linked with Benjamin Pavard ever since the full-back played a key role in France's World Cup triumph in Russia, and Kovac was keen to praise the 22-year-old's qualities ahead of Saturday's trip to Stuttgart.

However, he would not say for certain if the defender is a transfer target for the Bundesliga champions.

"I must say he's a great player, as you saw at the World Cup," Kovac said. "He's already world class and will certainly get even better.